Published in 2014

Book Review: Paused by Bryan Keating

Reviewed by JustJen

3Title: Paused
Author: Bryan Keating
Heroes: Taylor Quinn/
Genre: MM/FF Contemporary
Length: 320 Pages
Publisher: Bryan Keating
Release Date: July 28, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  After ditching a flight for a new adventure, former, reality television star, Taylor Quinn, is scrambling the colorful streets of Chicago with notorious addictions. Taylor quickly begins dating a privileged drug dealer who unknowingly provides him with the necessities he desires. Just as he starts to better his future, Taylor’s destructive roommate reenters his life and the two struggle to feed their addiction to addictions. Unfortunately, Taylor consistently causes chaos into the lives of his loved ones as he strives for an escape.

In separate but intertwined stories, Taylor’s best friend, Adrienne Ponziano and his favorite frenemy, Lynn Riley, have impulsive adventures of their own. Adrienne, while unhappily engaged, romances numerous men in hopes of gaining the true love she desires. Her actions activate her hidden family history sending her on a chase around Illinois. Closet, lipstick lesbian Lynn turns towards online dating websites to explore her hidden sexuality. Her double life leads her to a mischievous woman connected to everyone she seems to know.
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Categories: 2.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Debut Authors, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Audio Review: Into This River I Drown by T.J. Klune

Reviewed by Morgan

12Title: Into This River I Drown
Author: T.J. Klune
Narrator: Matt Baca
Heroes: Benji Green/Cal Blue
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 400 Pages / 18 Hours, 45 Minutes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Book – March 25, 2013 / Audio – August 19, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Five years ago, Benji Green lost his beloved father Big Eddie when his truck crashed into a river. Everyone called it an accident, but Benji knows it was more. Even years later, he’s buried in his grief, throwing himself into managing Big Eddie’s convenience store in the small-town of Roseland, Oregon. Surrounded by his mother and three aunts, he lives day to day, struggling to keep his head above water.

But Roseland is no ordinary place.

With ever more frequent dreams of his father’s death and waking visions of feathers on the river’s surface, Benji finds his definition of reality bending. He thinks himself haunted; by ghosts or memories, he can no longer tell. Not until a man falls from the sky, leaving the burning imprint of wings on the ground, does Benji begin to understand that the world is more mysterious than he ever imagined – and more dangerous. As uncontrollable forces descend on Roseland, they reveal long-hidden truths about friends, family, and the stranger Calliel – a man Benji can no longer live without.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Audio Review, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Loser Takes All by Kora Knight

Reviewed by JustJen

12Title: Loser Takes All
Author: Kora Knight
Series: Up-Ending Tad: A Journey of Erotic Discovery #1
Heroes: Scott/Tad
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 63 Pages
Publisher: Kora Knight
Release Date: September 5, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Tad’s weekend started out like any other; hitting a college frat party with a handful of buddies. But just as the evening hits its peak, things get up-ended fast. Ditched by his drunken, trolling friends, Tad winds up getting hustled by three jocks playing poker. Now he’s forced to pay his dues in the most outlandish of ways; accepting a couple broken bones or spending an hour with his victors’ favorite flogger, Scott. But the guy’s tantalizing torture quickly proves to be the least of Tad’s worries… and the kickoff to a night of raw, shocking lust.

Experience the graphic, minute-by-minute account of that hour spent at the hands of Tad’s insatiable tormentor. Addicting chemistry lights the stage as Scott ignites Tad’s reluctant desires into a frenzy of forbidden need.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Debut Authors, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Evernight by Kristen Callihan

Reviewed by Heather C

13Title:  Evernight
Author: Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #5
Hero/Heroine: William Thorne/Holly Evernight
Genre: MF Historical Romance; Steampunk
Length: 385 Pages
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Once the night comes . . .

Will Thorne is living a nightmare, his sanity slowly being drained away by a force he can’t control. His talents have made him the perfect assassin for hire. But as he loses his grip on reality, there is no calming him—until he finds his next target: the mysterious Holly Evernight.

Love must cast aside the shadows . . .

Holly cannot fathom who would put a contract on her life, yet the moment she touches Will, the connection between them is elemental, undeniable—and she’s the only one who can tame his bouts of madness. But other assassins are coming for Holly. Will must transform from killer to protector and find the man who wants Holly dead . . . or his only chance for redemption will be lost.

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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Bedtime Stories Anthology by Various Authors

Guest Reviewed by Morgan

1Title: Bedtime Stories
Authors: Anna Martin, B. Snow, Blaine D. Arden, Kit Mullender, Liam Livings, M.J. O’Shea, Tia Fielding
Series: Anthology
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romantic
Length: 261 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: August 20, 2014
Available at:  Wilde City Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: From supernatural tales of intrigue to a curious modern romance, a thoroughly British relationship and a classic fairytale all twisted up, Bedtime Stories is a collection of short stories designed to be read one at a time, at bedtime. Let us wish you goodnight with gay romances that are sure to leave you ready for a night of sweet, lingering dreams.

Whiskey Wishes by Anna Martin – Jamie O’Shaughnessy and Aiden Rooney find love in a tiny town in Ireland despite all the odds.

Flickers by Tia Fielding – A ghost leads a man to the house of an artist where the three of them find long-term happiness.

Click Your Heels Three Times by Blaine D. Arden – A story about a magical Prince in love with a leatherworker, who gets cursed when he rebuffs the General’s son for an arranged marriage.

Frangipani Kisses by Liam Livings – Not a romance, but a gay man on “welfare” finding his place in life and in society with his husband’s support.

Charmed by MJ O’Shea – A snarky bitch of a bartender meets his match one night and breaks all his dating rules.

Torch by Kit Mullender – A doctor in a sweaty apartment listens to Jazz each Thursday and dreams of its singer. One night he learns just who that singer is and boy is he happy!

Miles to Go by B. Snow – A 32 year old married man with a son faces divorce when his wife accuses him of being gay and forces him to go out on several dates to test the theory.

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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honorary Blogger Bryan Keating: Paused Individuals Ready to Move Forward + Giveaway!

Honorary_Blogger_Post

Paused Individuals Ready to Move Forward

by Bryan Keating

Hello!! First, I would like to say thank you to the generous Blogger Girls for taking a chance on a young, first-time writer and letting me spread the good word about my passion, my writing, and letting me introduce my novel Paused on their popular website.

I’m so fascinated by the newest community I’ve recently been introduced to: the M4M Reading Community. Honestly, I thought being thrown into the LGBTQ community at a young age was hard to grasp, boy, was I ever wrong! While writing my first novel, Paused, I was gladly letting loose on some sex scenes within my book, a bathhouse scene in particular has blessed me with many blushes from some readers not familiar with the genre. The community, however, wow! Upon reading some of your work, I was shocked! I was like, damn, my next one I can really go all out! The readers who have reached out to me have inspired me to continue to writing and be very upfront and honest in future erotic scenes.

I would like to personally invite all of you to read Paused, as it is my precious child in my young life. The story is based on true events. The characters are my friends and frenemies. The book is now my way of life. As a writer and artist, it is my goal for the world to see my work and it be archived in the record books. I wish to have you take a wild ride from your life into my world. Engulf your mind in insanity, addiction, sex and love.

I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you with your comments, suggestions, and support. Together, it is our duty to really embrace the M4M novels and raise them into mainstream awareness.

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About Paused 

3After ditching a flight for a new adventure, former, reality television star, Taylor Quinn, is scrambling the colorful streets of Chicago with notorious addictions. Taylor quickly begins dating a privileged drug dealer who unknowingly provides him with the necessities he desires. Just as he starts to better his future, Taylor’s destructive roommate reenters his life and the two struggle to feed their addiction to addictions. Unfortunately, Taylor consistently causes chaos into the lives of his loved ones as he strives for an escape. In separate but intertwined stories, Taylor’s best friend, Adrienne Ponziano and his favorite frenemy, Lynn Riley, have impulsive adventures of their own. Adrienne, while unhappily engaged, romances numerous men in hopes of gaining the true love she desires. Her actions activate her hidden family history sending her on a chase around Illinois. Closet, lipstick lesbian Lynn turns towards online dating websites to explore her hidden sexuality. Her double life leads her to a mischievous woman connected to everyone she seems to know.

Available at: Amazon

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About Bryan Keating

Bryan Keating, or alternately and more commonly known as Mickey Drake, is a 24 year old self-published author and Chicago native. After being relatively sheltered for most of his youth, Bryan eventually would go onto attending Columbia College Chicago where he would gain the professional skills for writing to match with his unique talent. Throughout his college experience and finally being fully introduced to the LGBTQ community, he began writing about his adventures, perils, and loves which continue to inspire his writing today. Thus he created and wrote Paused, a novel based on true events.

Bryan’s passion for writing tales within his community, the LGBTQ community, stems from his sudden release into the gay community and love without much prior knowledge. He was, as the new world around him: reckless, ruthless, and inviting. Through Paused, Bryan hopes to make an example of his experiences through his character’s stories. Whether that example is to be feared, confused, erotic, or enthralled is entirely up to the individual reader.

Bryan now lives in Los Angeles, California where he continues to write each day. He is still inspired by those he meets along his journey in life and is drafting the sequel to Paused, expected to be released next year (2015).

Find out more about Bryan on Facebook or Instagram.

Blogger_Giveaway

Bryan has graciously offered up a mobi copy of Paused to one lucky winner!! The giveaway starts now and ends September 24, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway, except to verify your Rafflecopter entry.

Don’t forget to check out JustJen’s review of Paused to see what she thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Giveaways, Honorary Blogger Post, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , | 9 Comments

Book Review: Capture the Sun by R.J. Scott and Meredith Russell

Guest Reviewed by Kristy

13Title: Capture the Sun
Author: R.J. Scott and Meredith Russell
Series: Stories from Sapphire Cay #5
Heroes: Isaac Bailey/Mitch Stone
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 105 Pages
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Release Date: August 30, 2014
Available at: Love Lane Books, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Model, Isaac Bailey wants to break into the world of fashion design. Under his father’s company name, he is set to debut his new collection—summer wear. He has the models, the clothes, what he needs is a location.

Mitch Stone is a trouble shooter. His latest client needs an exotic location and he happens to know someone with the very thing—Sapphire Cay. Having underestimated Isaac as nothing more than an airhead model, Mitch soon discovers there is much more to the young man than he first thought.

As the fashion shoot gets underway, Mitch has to contend with his feelings for his old love, Dylan, and the very new and growing affections he has for Isaac. What starts as just another job, turns out to be more fruitful and exhilarating than winning any multi-million dollar contract.
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Categories: 4.5 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Filthy Acquisitions by Edmond Manning

Guest Reviewed by Tina

1Title: Filthy Acquisitions
Author: Edmond Manning
Heroes: Keldon Thurman/Joshua Greene
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 145 Pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Release Date: July 23, 2014
Available at: Wilde City Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Keldon Thurman hates his job, purchasing serial killer art for a private investor. He would quit if he weren’t completely impoverished, but with no life skills and no ways to generate income, Keldon has no options.

However, Acquisition Number Five proves to be more challenging than expected. Wheel-chair bound Irene Woullet and her handsome nurse caretaker, Joshua Greene, refuse to cooperate. Keldon’s only chance is to seduce the old-fashioned, simple-living Josh in the hopes that Joshua can persuade Irene. But Keldon has to work fast—he has only two dates to win Josh’s affection.

With love’s potential in bloom, how can Keldon live with his own worsening conscience as he gathers these filthy acquisitions?
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Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honorary Blogger Melissa Collins: My First M/M Experience + Giveaway!

Honorary_Blogger_Post

My First M/M Experience

by Melissa Collins

Since publishing Let Love Live, many readers have asked me how I felt about the process seeing as it was my first M/m novel. The previous five titles in my series are all M/f and up until about a year ago, I had primarily read M/F novels. This wasn’t because I had anything against M/m romances. Sadly, I just didn’t know the existed.

So, how does someone who’s only read and written M/f novels make the transition to gay romance? It was actually a fairly easy one. Dylan and Shane were characters who were already in my previous books so I already knew their back story. For me, they fell in love like and man and woman would. I mean, love is love, right? For that reason alone, I didn’t treat it any differently than I would have. They learn about each other’s feelings, test the waters of their physical attraction, say or do the wrong things at times, and learn how to make up. For those of you who have already read Let Love Live, you know why Dylan and Shane can’t be together. And, for those of you who haven’t, a word of advice: get tissues.

Part two of the novel focuses on Dylan eight years after part one ends. For this part, I was a little nervous because I had to bring in a new character – new to my series and new to Dylan. But again, I wanted to treat it like any other romance. I didn’t want there to be stereotypes or make it feel like I was a woman writing what I think men would say or do. So in Dylan and Conner, I created two very assertive and confident men – a counselor and an ex-MMA fighter.

Now, I did do a lot of internet “research” for certain sexy scenes, but I won’t complain about that one bit. I had so much fun writing Let Love Live and I honestly feel like it was a very successful novel, let alone my first M/m novel. You can definitely count on more coming from me in the future.

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About Let Love Live

Let Love Live (Love, #5)Who would you become if you lost the only person who ever mattered?

For twenty-six year old Dylan Hopkins, the answer is easy.  He’s become no one. Memories of the happier times are all he has left as he finds himself meandering numbly through his now dull life. Though he cares about his work and family dearly, he’s yet to let himself find love again. Afraid of letting go of what he once had, Dylan chooses to keep his heart buried, where it belongs, having died a long time ago.

Conner Michelson is about to change everything Dylan knows. He’s every bit the bad boy persona – tatted up, ex-MMA fighter, but after an injury leaves him unable to fight, he has to rethink his goals. Having just opened his own gym, Conner can cross his first major life accomplishment off his very short list. Next up: find a man he can settle down with and build a family. Seems simple enough – a dream most people have, but when he meets Dylan, his carefree, easy-going life is thrown into a tailspin.

Determined to keep Dylan in his life, Conner vows to resurrect Dylan’s long ago buried heart and let love live once more.

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About Melissa Collins

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melissa Collins has always been a book worm.  Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book.  She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher.  Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students.  Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.

Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently.  When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it.  It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

Connect with Melissa on her Website, Facebook or Twitter.

Blogger_Giveaway

Melissa has kindly offered up a chance to win a $5 Gift Card to Amazon.com to one lucky winner!! The giveaway starts now and ends September 23, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway, except to verify your Rafflecopter entry.

Don’t forget to check out JustJen’s review of Let Love Live to see what they thought of it!

Good luck!

Categories: Book Promo, Giveaways, Holiday Posts, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , | 21 Comments

Book Review: Let Love Live by Melissa Collins

Reviewed by JustJen

3Title: Let Love Live
Author: Melissa Collins
Series: Love #5
Heroes: Dylan Hopkins/Conner Michelson
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 298 Pages
Publisher: Melissa Collins
Release Date: July 5, 2014
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Who would you become if you lost the only person who ever mattered?

For twenty-six year old Dylan Hopkins, the answer is easy. He’s become no one. Memories of the happier times are all he has left as he finds himself meandering numbly through his now dull life. Though he cares about his work and family dearly, he’s yet to let himself find love again. Afraid of letting go of what he once had, Dylan chooses to keep his heart buried, where it belongs, having died a long time ago.

Conner Michelson is about to change everything Dylan knows. He’s every bit the bad boy persona – tatted up, ex-MMA fighter, but after an injury leaves him unable to fight, he has to rethink his goals. Having just opened his own gym, Conner can cross his first major life accomplishment off his very short list. Next up: find a man he can settle down with and build a family. Seems simple enough – a dream most people have, but when he meets Dylan, his carefree, easy-going life is thrown into a tailspin.

Determined to keep Dylan in his life, Conner vows to resurrect Dylan’s long ago buried heart and let love live once more.
Continue reading

Categories: 4 Star Ratings, Book Review, JustJen's Reviews, LGBT, Published in 2014 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment